back to article Ridesharing makes new and unique mess in Japan's taxi industry

Taxi drivers are gaming ride-sharing algorithms in Japan to find more and more lucrative fares, according to digital transformation minister Taro Kono. The minister's sentiments were expressed in comments read by a proxy at a July 29 working group meeting to discuss the industry. Kono had prepared the comments in advance for …

  1. O'Reg Inalsin

    Dubious data

    How is it known the empty cabs with the light on are not on their way to pick up a fare they have have already promised to pick up? Of course that's knowable with enough deep and expensive digging (because Uber would know) - but I doubt such confirmation efforts were actually performed. Unless the drivers know they are going to pick up a long fare, it would be better for them to pick up a paying passenger as soon as possible.

    1. munnoch Silver badge

      Re: Dubious data

      They already thought of that. The illuminated display in the windscreen shows a different indication for a pre-booked taxi than it does for an available one. You wouldn't want to offend a potential customer by appearing to ignore their hail... Unless that customer is a foreigner...

      https://www.pinterest.com/pin/japanese-taxi-signs--432064158009036443/

      1. O'Reg Inalsin

        Re: Dubious data

        Set by the driver most probably - and sometimes they forget or are in a rush. So if the cab wanted to wait for a Uber fare, they could just set the sign to "on way to fare" or "not in service" manually. I don't see the relevance of you comment to my opinion that the government minister/rep was probably not thorough in gathering evidence for his claim.

  2. david 12 Silver badge

    Years ago, you hailed a taxi in Tokyo in the rain using two, three or even four fingers -- indicating a willingness to pay 2,3, or even 4 times the displayed fare.

  3. An_Old_Dog Silver badge

    Gaming the System in Search of Profits?!

    Yes. Duh. Welcome to real-world capitalism.

  4. Martin Summers

    Gaming algorithms? The last time I took an Uber in Birmingham UK the guy actively cancelled 'by mistake' my booking and got me to repeatedly hail another Uber whilst sat in the back of his car, until surge pricing kicked in. Unfortunately as I was hailing, other Ubers were picking up my ride first which I had to cancel. Easy to screw about and increase your fare price. I should have just got out, but I complained to Uber and told them what he did and got a refund on the excess. Left a bad taste just how low even supposed professional drivers can go.

  5. JacobZ

    Welcome to late-stage capitalism

    where it's OK for companies to create algorithms to maximize their own profits, but not OK for workers to game those same algorithms to maximize theirs.

    Don't like it? Create a better/fairer algorithm that workers are not so motivated to game.

  6. Colin Bull 1
    Mushroom

    Ride sharing my ARSE

    Uber tried to break into the market by calling their service ride sharing and suggesting it was a novel system. They have used every fraudulent method possible to shaft everyone else. Medicals over the phone - this should have put them out of business permanently.

    As far as I am aware THERE HAS NEVER BEEN ANY ASPECT OF RIDE SHARING. I think is shit journalism.

    1. Martin Summers

      Re: Ride sharing my ARSE

      I'm not defending them in any way, because I remember when it first started. They marketed it as if someone is going your way then you could grab a ride with them. It quickly became a taxi service by the back door and they resisted every effort to have their service licensed.

      They did have Uber Pool, possibly still do. So there has been at least some ride-sharing going on. That's at least true.

POST COMMENT House rules

Not a member of The Register? Create a new account here.

  • Enter your comment

  • Add an icon

Anonymous cowards cannot choose their icon

Other stories you might like